According to reports, newly-promoted Premier League side Newcastle United are now eyeing a move for West Ham United’s latest outcast Adrian. The surprise arrival of England number one, Joe Hart, at London Stadium could only mean one thing, departure of the Spanish custodian this summer. Reports claim that West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has already communicated his decision to the player.
Newcastle have found themselves in deep waters in the last few weeks, with few transfer targets met. And with the new season commencing within a month, Rafael Benitez has been aggressively digging for options. While the Magpies were definitely the most balanced side in the Championship-winning season last term, they could hardly use that lure to get in top players this summer.
Though we have seen some positive moves on Christian Atsu getting his move permanent to St. James’ Park, and the arrival of Florian Lejeune from La Liga, Benitez knows that his squad is still three-four signings behind to compete as a team in the Premier League.
Among the crisis positions that the Toon army have now, goalkeeping remains a primary concern. There have been growing reports of their current number one Karl Darlow leaving the club with Middlesbrough emerging as the favourites, which calls for immediate replacement under the bar. Benitez’s other option, Tim Krul is also reportedly on his way out.
Adrian has had an underwhelming display last season owing to the London club’s poor campaign as the Hammers took a huge step backwards from their previous season. Following the top half finish in the Premier League in 2016, they went on to spend most of their time skimming against the relegation zone last season.
And the poor defence was definitely at the crux of it. Bilic’s side conceded a whopping 64 goals last season with both their goalkeepers letting in a similar share of goals. 30-year-old Adrian had started as the first choice for the Croat manager but his leaky performances, where he conceded 25 goals in 16 outings, soon led Bilic to go with Randolph.
Randolph had started in the EFL Cup and FA Cup mostly before moving up the pecking order. And although he ended conceding 39 goals in 22 appearances, he did produce some good displays in the later part of the season.
It is safe to say that Adrian’s time is pretty much up with the Hammers and if he is aiming an inclusion in Spain’s squad for the next World Cup, he would need regular first team chances coming season. Newcastle could give him that and Benitez being from Spain would definitely know his countryman better.
